Chandan Yatra: The Summer Boat Festival

Published on 10/20/2024

The Summer Heat

As the scorching Indian summer peaks in the month of Vaisakha, the deities undergo the Chandan Yatra to find relief from the heat. The festival lasts for 42 days, divided into two phases of 21 days each (Bahar Chandan and Bhitar Chandan).

The Boat Ride

During the first 21 days, the representative deities (Madan Mohan, Rama, Krishna, Sridevi, and Bhudevi) are taken out of the temple in decorated palanquins to the Narendra Pushkarini, a massive holy tank nearby.

"The deities are smeared with a cooling paste of sandalwood (Chandan) and camphor. They are then placed on grand, swan-shaped wooden boats (Chapa) and rowed around the tank."

The atmosphere is joyous, with music, dancing, and thousands of devotees lining the banks. The Chandan Yatra highlights the deeply personal care the servitors take to ensure the Lord's comfort during the harsh changing seasons.